Electric signaling controlled by mechanical vibrations



Jain. 15, 1929.

J. GARDNER ELECTRIC SIGNALING CONTROLLED BY MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS Filed March 17. 1920 32 Ira/zit I l atented Jan. 15, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,698,812 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN GARDNER, 0F BOLTON-LE-SANDS, CARNEORTH, ENGLAND.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING CONTROLLED BY MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS.

Application filed March 17, 1920, Serial No. 366,561, and in Great Britain March 22, 1919.

This invention relates to that class of signaling apparatus in which an electromagnetic device, such as, e. g. a relay, and one or more transmitters or current-reducing devices more or less remote from the receiver, are in a normally closed circuit, an increase of resistance in a transmitter or current-reducing device brought about by mechanical vibrations, such as e. g. those caused in the track by the passage of a railway train, so reducing the current in the circuit as to permit the release of an armature or the like, which, by its movement, closes a local circuit and eifects the operation of a signaling device therein, the transmitter or current-reducing device being in effect a switch which is opened by the vibrations and closed by their cessation.

The main object of the invention is to provide for the giving of aprolonged or continous signal, even though the transmitter or current-reducing device may have become quiescent and the current flowing through the circuit of the relay or like device been restored to the normal, until the signal is interrupted manually or automatically. Further objects of the invention are to provide for the testing of the apparatus at the signal receiving station and to improve the details and arrangement of the apparatus.

According to the invention, I provide that on the armature or the like being released to close the local circuit and eilectthe operation of the signaling device therein, a second circuit is also closed whereby the return of the armature to normal position to open the local circuit is retarded or damped, or is positively delayed until permitted by the opening of the second circuit manual operatii' r or by antomaticaliy-operated means at a determined interval, so that a prolonged or continuous signal is given notwithstanding that the transmitter or cur-' rent-reducing device may have become quiescent or normal.

The invention is hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompany ing drawings wherein Figs. 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating two ways of carrying it into eiiect for signaling in connection with railways. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating how the several necessary appliances may be'grouped to form a complete portable receiver, and Fig. 4 is a plan with the cover removed, and Fig. 5 a transverse section of an improved arrangement of box for a portable transmitter or current-reducing device. Referring to the drawings, a is a relay in the circuit of a battery I), and 0 is a microphonic transmitter in series with the relay a and mounted preferably on a sleeper at a suitable situation in the track, and which is operated bythe mechanical vibrations caused by trains passing thereovcr, to reduce the line current through the relay a. (Z is a bell in a local circuit which is normally open, as shown, and is closed on the tie-energizing of the relay a! by the armature a thereof then contacting with a contact 6. From the contact c a lead 7'' goes to a switch memher 9 which normally contacts with a contact it in the circuit of the relay, the lead and switch member g constituting a shunt circuit from the relay circuit. On the deenergizing oi? the relay a and the release of its armature (1. to close the bell circuit, the armature also completes the shunt circuit which so reduces the current flowing through the relay coil as to prevent the return of the armature to its normal position, notwithstanding that the distant transmitter 0 may have become quiescent, until the shunt circuit is broken. The shunt circuit is broken to allow of the return of the relay armature and the stopping of the signal, by the operation of the switch member g by the manual depression of a stop key When it is not desired that the prolonged signal should be given the stop key may be locked by a detent in the depressed position to hold the switch g open.

Preferably, and as illustrated in Fig. 2, I provide, for opening the shunt circuit, a secend or stop relay 7:: through the armature 74: of which the shunt circuit (comprising the leads f, f, armature k contact e and lead f) is normally closed, and the winding of which is in circuit with a second or stop transmitter m, located at a suitable distance beyond the first or starting transmitter c. lVith this arrangement, which is particularly suitable for giving signals at level crossings, on a train reaching the first or starting transmitter c the latter will be disturbed and the startii relay a tie-energized to release its armature a which then completes the circuit of the bell d, and also the shunt circuit, and the bell will continue to ring, notwithstanding that the starting transmitter 0 may have become quiescent, until the train reaches the second or stop transmitter m and Ill) disturbs same. On the disturbance of the stop transmitter m the stop relay 6 will be de-energized and release its armature 10 from the contact thus opening the shunt circuit and allowing the starting relay a to again pick up its armature (i On the stop transmitter m becoming quiescent, the stop relay is will pick up its armature is and again close therethrough the shunt circuit which will now be broken between the armature a of the starting relay a and the contact 6, and the apparatus will be re-sct ready for the next signal.

With the stop relay 70, I may, if desired, combine the aforesaid manually-operated switch member which will be normally locked out of action by the locked depression of the stop key 5 as shown, and will be arranged in parallel with the armature 75 of the stop relayJic, on releasing the switch member, the shunt circuit will be closed therethrough and a signal will be given continuoulsy until the switch member 9 is operated by the stop key to open the shunt circuit. The arrangements described provide for either manual or automatic stoppage of the signal. 7

Separate sources of current may be employed for the starting relay circuit, the

local signaling circuit and the stop relay circuit, or, as shown, I may employ a common battery Z), preferably arranged at the signaling station. In the latter case, there may be provided one or more variableresistances or rheostats n, which in addition to serving to adjust the 'sensitiveness of the transmitter 0, as in lmy previous United States Patent No. 1,225,429, also serves or serve-to prevent the battery from short-circuiting through the shunt circuit when he local signaling circuit is closed.

, For testing the working of the apparatus at the signalingstation, I may provide in the circuit o-fthe starting relay a. a test key 0 by the 'operation of which a switch member 22 in the relay circuit is actuated'to disengage the contact h thereby opening the relay or line circuit to release the armature a of the start-ing relay. I may also provide a similarkey for testing the'operation of the relay 70.

In some cases, I may arrange two or more starting transmitters in series with each other, as shown in Fig. 8, and also, if desired, two or more stop transmitters in series witheach other, the disturbance of either or any transmitter of each pair or set serving to de-energize the corresponding relay and effect the release'of the armature thereof. Such an"arra'ngement of transmitters is especially applicable when the apparatus is.

used for giving warning at level crossings and to plate layers and others working on the track, when there may for example be 6 two starting transmitters in'series with each other and arranged one on the up track and the other on the down track at some distance from the crossing or place where the men are working. The terminal a (Fig.

is provided as a convenient means of conn'ecting conductor of each of two transmitters when these are employed in the manner described.

7 The armatures of the starting and stop relays may, when the relays are de en'ergized by the distur ance of their respective transmitters, recede under the influence of springs, g'rrity, magnetic pull or the like.

I may employ any appropriate transmit ter or current-reducing device operated by mechanical vibrations. Preferably, I employ device of the kind described in the specification of my said previous United States Patent N o. 1,225,429. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and such ade'vice comprises two pa: 1 reeds 34:, 3% so arranged and twisted as to produce between them a V- shaped gap which allows the reeds to vibrate independently of and in paths at right angles to each other, and a loose conductor or conductors 35 placed between fiat carbon electrodes 36, 36 carried by the reeds to conduct current from one electrode to ,the' other.

The reeds 3%, 34 are clamped at one end in a holder or support comprising two metal discs '37, 37 which are secured to'the box or casin 29 by a set screw 38 to grip the reeds betweenthem. he reeds 34, 3st are insultated from each other and from their holder or support bymica or like "insulating material 39 which will freely transmit tot-he reeds vibrations connnunicat-ed to the casing and holder, the vibrational impulses supplied by a passing train being thus comn'iunicated to the reeds by way of their nodes.

I may, however, employ a single reed carrying two electrodes suitably insulated from the reed and bridged bya loose conductor or conductors. As the loose conductors, I preferably employ hard carbon balls which are easily distur' exercise but'little damping effect upon the vibration of the reeds or reed. object of further reducing the damping, the electrodes are preferably mounted on the reeds or reed between the nodal and free portions thereof. When two reeds are employed, the V-shaped gap may be obtained by twisting the reeds, as described inmy said previous specification, or the reeds'may be flat and rest upoirincl'ined'seats, or the electrodes may themselves be shaped to give the required inclination, or appropriatelyshaped pieces of insulating material may be ed and which With the priately-shaped piece of insulating material may be fitted between the reed and the electrodes.

The loose carbon balls or other bridging medium may be retained in position by a muslin or other appropriate light cage carried by the reed or reeds or by the casing.

The starting relay, the test key, the local circuit and the signaling device therein, the shunt circuit, the stop relay and the manually operated switch member, the necessary batteries or a common battery, a terminal or terminals for connecting two or more transmitters in series, and a condenser for preventing sparking across the contacts of the relay or relays, comprising a complete receiver, may all be arranged in a single watertight box or casing. Conveniently, and as illustrated in Fig. 3, I may provide a box or casing q divided by a partition g so as to form two chambers 1' and t. The chamber 7 is provided with a cover indicated at r to constitute a watertight compartment for enclosing the starting and stopping relays a, k, the switch members g, p and contact 7t and a condenser s. The chamber t contains the necessary terminals for connecting up the transmitters, the battery, the bell, the resistance, and a terminal for connecting two starting transmitters in series. The terminal chamber 6 may be fitted with a hinged flap 2. which can be thrown back to give access to the several terminals and to disclose the instructions for use which may be attached to the back of the flap.

\Vith the arrangement illustrated the line circuit through the starting relay a is from battery 6 by lead Z2 terminal a, strip a), terminal 10, lead :12, transmitter 0, lead f, terminal a, lead 2, transmitter 0 lead 3, terminal i, strip 5, lead 6, relay coil a, lead 7 switch member p, contact it, lead 8, strip 9, resistance or rheostat a, connecting binding screw 10 of strip 9 to binding screw 11 of strip 12, strip 12, terminal 13 and lead V back to battery b. The line circuit through stop relay 7s from battery Z) to strip Q) as before, lead 1i, relay coil is, lead 15, strip 16, terminal 17, lead 18, stop transmitter m, lead 19, terminal 18 and lead back to battery 6. When the starting relay a is tie-energized to release its armature a to close the bell and shunt circuits, the bell circuit is from battery 6 to strip c, lead 20, armature a contact 6, lead 21, strip 22, terminal 23, the bell (Z, terminal 24:, strip 12, terminal 13 andback to the battery. Simultaneously the shunt circuit is completed from armature a through contact 6, lead 21, strip 22, lead 7, armature k contact 6 and lead 7, to contact h and thence back to the battery as before. If stop key 7' is released switch member 9 engages contact h and the shunt circuit then completed from strip 22 to contact h 'bylead f and switch member 9. Leads 2G, 26 connect the condenser across the strips 12, 22.

A strap or sling for convenience of trans port may be attached to the transmitter or transmitters which may also be arranged in a w rtight box or boxes. For temporarily clamping a transmitter to a railway sleeper, I provide a clan'iping screw permanently mounted on the box and furnished with a wing head or other convenient means of operation. Thus, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, I may mount in holes in the cover 27 and the base 28 of the box 29, a wing headed screw 30 which has fitted to it after being passed through the hole in the cover, a collar 31., pin or oth r enlargement to prevent its being detached therefrom. The box 29 is preferably recessed at 32 so that the screw 30 does not pass through the interior thereof, in order to preserve watertightness. To obtain good mechanical contact between the transmitter and the sleeper, I provide the box with three feet 38 to form a tripod, and arrange the screw 30 as shown, so that it presses the feet with approximately eonal force against the sleeper. The test are formed with holes for securing screws when the transmitter is usedin a permanent installation.

it will, of course, be understood that the invention is not limited to signaling in connection with railways or to the use of a bell the local si naling medium.

hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a signaling system, a signal device, means including a relay and a circuit therefor having means for decreasing current therein without complete interruption for rendering said signal device active upon a decrease of current through the relay, means rendered effective simultaneously with the rendering eiiective of the signal device for shunting the relay and thereby incapacitating the relay against interrupting the action of the signal device, and means for rendering said last named means ineffective and thereby permit of the restoration of parts to normal position.

2. In a signaling system, a. signal device, means including an armature for rendering said device active or inactive, means including a relay and a circuit therefor for controlling the armature to vary the activity of the signal device with a decrease in the current through the relay, means also con trolled by the armature when it is in a position for rendering the signal device active for shunting said relay and thereby preventing further operation of the armature by further variations of the current in the circuit, and means for restoring the control of the said relay to the circuit comprising a relay mechanically separate and electrically connected to said first mentioned relay, and

ieans for decreasing the current in said second rela 3. In a signaling system, a signal device, means including a relay, a circuit therefor, and a current varying device in said circuitfor rendering the signal device active upon a variation of current through the relay by the current varying device, means including a second circuit controlled by the relay and automatically closed thereby when said sig nal device is rendered interruption of the operation of the sim device by t-he relay during further current variations in the first mentioned circuit, and means for opening said second mentioned circuit to restore the control of the signal device to the relay comprising a sect: d relay, and means for decreasing the current therethrough Without complete interruption thereof. 7

a. In a signaling system, a device, means including arelay, a circuit therefor,

fli

and current varying device in said circuit for rendering the signal device active upon a variation of current through the relay by,

the cur-rent varying device, iii-cans including a second circuit controlled by the relay and automatically closed thereby when said signal device is rendered active for preventing interruption of the operation of the signal device by the relay during further current variations in the first mentioner circuit, a circuit controller, means comprising circuits and a loosecontact adapted to produce a decrease in current in said circuit controller and means including an electro' magnetic device controlled by said circuit controller for opening said second mentioned circuit to restore the control of the said. signal device to the relay. 7 i I 5. In a signaling system, a signal device, means including arelay, a circuit therefor, and a current varying device in said circuit for rendering the signal device active upon a variation of current through the relay by the current varying device. means including a second circuit controlled by the relay and automatically closed thereby When said signal device is rendered active for prevent ing interruption of the operation of the signal device by the relay during further current variations in the first mentioned circuit, a circuit controller, and means includ ing a manually operated switch and an :electromagnetically controlled switch independently operative to restore said signal device to the control of the relay Whenever either or said switches is operated, said electromagnetically. controlled switch being in turn controlled by the circuit controller.

6. In a signaling system, a si nal devi e, a source of current, a relay, an armature biased 'for movement to one position and held by said relay in another posit1on, a current varylng dev1ce,a normally closed ciractive for preventing neeaeie cu-it including a source of current, the relay and the current varying eev-ice, means including a circuittor controlling the signal device connected to the sourceof current and controlled by the armature as to be closed t-l-icreby when said armature released by the relay upon a ise in cur-rent therein for rendering the signal device effective, means including a third circuit shunted across the relay and closed by the armature simultaneously w th the closing of the signal dcvi ce cont-rolling rc-u-it for preventing operation of the armature by the relay, and a vi bration res-pensive means, an an ia ry relay, and circuits cooperating with aid first mentioned relay for ret ing said armature to its unreleased pos' a 7., in a signaling system, a signal device, a source oi current, a relay, an armature biased for movement to one position and held by sa relay in anotherposition, a current varying dev-ic a normally closed circuit inchu-ling the source of current, the relay and the current varying device, means including a circuit for controll ng the signal levice connected to the source of current and controlled by the armature so as to be closed thereby when said arr-nature -re lease by the relay when the current therein. is decreased, for rendering the signal device etlective, means includin a third arc-nit shunted across the relay d closed by the armature simulti-uieously In the closing of the signal device control 11w circui for preventing operation of the armature by too 1 relay, and means for opening the third circult to estore the control ofthe signal \device to said relay coin arising a vibration res )onsive means and an auxiliary relay.

8. asigna system, a signal device, a source of current, a relay, an armature biased for niovenient .to one position and held :by said relay another,position, a current varying device, a normally closed circuit including the source of current, the relay .a-nu the CH1 rent varying device, means including a circuit for controlling tne signal device connected to the source of current and controlled bythe armature sov as to be closed thereby when said armature is released .by the relay when the current therein decreased, for rendering the signal :device effective, means including a third cirnultaneously with the closand electromagnetic means controlled by the second current varying means for opening the third circuit to restore the control of the 1' device to said relay comprising :a vibrat-ion responsive means and an auxiliam relay. u

9. Ina signaling system, a signal device,

means including a relay, a circuit therefor, and a current varying device in said circuit for rendering the signal device active upon a variation of current through the relay by the current varying device, means including a second circuit controlled by the relay and auton'iatically closed thereby when said signal device is rendered active for preventing interruption of the operation of the signal device by the relay duii Zturthcr current variations in the first mentioned circuit, means for opening said second mentioned circuit to restore the control of the signal device to the relay, a test key in the relay circuit for va ying the current therein to cause an operat )1] of the signal device and means comprising a vibration responsive dc.- vice and an auxiliary relay mechanically separate and electrically connected to said first mentioned relay for interrupting the operation of said signal. device by return of said relay to unactuated position.

10. In a signaling system, a signal device, a relay having an armature and contacts, a source of electrical energy, connections between said source of current, said signal device and the contacts of said relay whereby said signal device is actuated upon the closure of said contacts, and vibration responsive means adapted to the production of a decrease in current therethrough without complete interruption thereof, connected in circuit with said relay and said source of electrical energ 1 for the actuation of the contacts of said relay, an auxiliary circuit cooperating with said relay in shunt thereto, whereby the contacts of said relay are held in position for operation of said signal device after actuation by said vibration responsive means, and a plurality of means tor restoring said relay contacts to unactuated position, one thereof comprising a manually operable switch, another thereof comprising a second relay device mechanically separate from laid 'irst mentioned relay and connected in said auxiliary circuit, and a second vibration responsive means cooperating therewith for the actuation thereof whereby said first mentioned relay is restored to unactuate'd position.

11. In a signaling system, a signal device, and means for the sustained operation thereof in response tothe occurrence of vibrations, comprising a vibration responsive means adapted to produce a change in an electric current having a value less than the normal steady current, a relay connected thereto having contacts cooperating with said signal device and adapted to be actuated by a change in current therein, a source of electrical energy cooperating therewith, means comprising an auxiliary circuit for holding said relay in the actuated position after the discontinuance of vibrations, and means for restoring said relay by removal of the etlect of said auxiliary circuit comprising a second vibration responsive means, a second relay cooperating therewith and connections therefrom to said auxiliary circuit.

12. In a signaling system, a signal device, a plurality of vibration responsive means adapted to the production of a partial change in the value of an electric current, a relay having contacts, said contacts coopcrating with said signal device, said relay cooperating with said vibration responsive means, whereby a change in current actuates said'signal device, an auxiliary circuit for holding said contacts in the actuated position, and means for removing the holding effect of said auxiliary circuit, comprising a further plurality of vibration responsive means and an auxiliary relay cooperating therewith and with said auxiliary circuit, whereby actuation of any of said second mentioned vibration responsive means restores said first mentioned relay to unactuated position and interrupts the operation of said signal.

13. In a signaling system, a signal device, a plurality of vibration responsive means adapted to the production of a partial change in the value of an electric current, a relay having contacts, said contacts cooperating with said signal device, said relay cooperating with said vibration responsive means, whereby a change in current actuates said si nal device, an auxiliary circuit for holding said contacts in the actuated position, means for removing the holding effect of said auxiliary circuit, comprising a further plurality of vibration responsive means and an auxiliary relay cooperating therewith and with said auxiliary circuit, whereby actuation of any of said second mentioned vibration responsive means restores said first mentioned relay to unactuated position and interrupts the operation of said signal, and manual means also cooperating with said auxiliary circuit for the inter ruption of the effect thereof.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN GARDNER. 

